NORTHERN TERRITORY V TASMANIA

AN OTHERWISE simple handshake filled Ben Long with pride on Friday night.

The 18-year-old reported for Territory under-18 duty at 5pm on Friday — 90 minutes before the first bounce against Tasmania — and discovered he was going to be captain.

“I’m very thrilled and very honoured to captain the side and it was good to get the win on home soil,” Long told the NT News.

“I came in and said hello to Hodgey (coach Andrew Hodges) and he just shook my hand and said, ‘You’re going to captain today’, so I was pretty thrilled and very nervous, but it turned out to be a good day on the track.”

Long was one of six overage players in the Territory side and was typically influential in the 69-point triumph at Darwin’s TIO Stadium.

The rebounding defender was also part of the squad that lost to Tasmania by 13 points at the 2015 championships, and that result was on his mind.

“Tasmania turned us over at Etihad (Stadium), but we’ve bonded together as a team the last couple of years,” Long said.

“I really wanted to get the win back from last year, especially getting to play Tasmania back home.”

Long — the nephew of Essendon champion Michael Long — agrees with outsiders’ belief this NT side is the strongest in several years.

“Considering it was a 60plus-point win, I think we have sent a warning,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to next week (against Queensland). GOALS BEST 6.4 11.9 14.11 17.12 3.2 4.2 4.4 6.9 The boys are heading down to Hobart on Thursday, so it will be a big game.”

Long was considered a chance of being drafted into AFL ranks last year, but was overlooked. He flew in from Melbourne for NTFL games with St Mary’s in the wet season and was a big reason the Saints reached the decider.

But a suspension that St Mary’s officials desperately tried to get overturned kept him out of the match.

“Anyone would be disappointed not to play in a grand final,” Long said. “They did (fight for me), but it was good to get the win.”

Long is boarding at Melbourne Grammar and playing school footy, while also fitting in weekly training sessions with VFL club Footscray.

He plans to fit in some games for the Bulldogs once the school season ends.

“It’s a big year for me as an over-age player ... but you’ve really got to perform at national level,” he said.